Smith: Texans make OL bet that better pay off for Deshaun Watson

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a a football as he warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Philadelphia.

Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Add a brick to the wall around Deshaun Watson?

Check.

Address a glaring need that has been obvious for years?

Check.

Make the right pick on Thursday night with the No. 23 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft?

TBD.

Frustrated Texans fans, meet Tytus Howard.

Only the most devoted believers even knew Howard's name before he was suddenly attached to the Texans in rainy, packed Nashville, Tenn. And after Philadelphia traded up to take Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard at No. 22, Howard will face even more pressure to live up to the pick.

Protecting Watson was the main problem in 2018. Protecting Watson is still the primary issue this season, and the Texans obviously didn't do enough during free agency to keep their No. 1 investment safe in the seasons to come.

It takes years to properly evaluate a draft. Of course, I was already receiving tweets Thursday night that Howard was a huge miss – a little early, isn't it? – and he wouldn't start Week 1.

This was second-year general manager Brian Gaine's biggest pick to date. Six years ago, Bill O'Brien made Jadeveon Clowney his first NFL pick and the No. 1 selection of the 2014 draft. Clowney has been solid. The Texans have also been reluctant to sign him to a long-term deal for years and he was reportedly available via trade Thursday during the hours leading up to Howard's selection.

Howard has size, athleticism and upside. His name also caught TV announcers off guard and he was technically a reach on draft night.

J.J. Watt was booed by Texans fans in 2011, which tells you all you need to know about draft instant (over)reactions.

Howard is a huge TBD at 23. If Jawaan Taylor, Cody Ford or Dillard eventually shine, the Texans could be apologizing for Howard for years.

You know who's really hoping the Texans got this right?

Watson, who was sacked a league-high 62 times last season and had to take a bus to Jacksonville, Fla., partly because his pieced-together line couldn't protect him.

The Texans are still trying to replace Duane Brown after sending him to Seattle.

If Howard is even close to old No. 76 in the long run, the Texans' big bet Thursday night will have been worth the price.

Brian T. Smith is a sports columnist for the Houston Chronicle. He has won multiple Associated Press Sports Editors awards and been honored by numerous journalism organizations. Smith was a Houston Texans beat writer for the Chronicle from 2013-15 and an Astros beat writer from 2012-13. The New Orleans-area native previously covered the NBA's Utah Jazz (The Salt Lake Tribune) and Portland Trail Blazers (The Columbian), among other beats. He is the author of the book Liftoff, which documented the Astros' rebuild and 2017 World Series championship.